The grounds of North Wales County Pauper Lunatic Asylum at North Wales Hospital (Picture: Mark Davis/Guzelian)

Mr Davis said: ‘Many of the patients at these asylums came from poor backgrounds, so when they arrived in such places as West Riding Pauper Lunatic Asylum, who really went to town with the design and mosaics, they were humbled by being there and would do as they were told just to stay.”

The book, which is published by Amberley and also written by Mark Davis, is now available.

A record player at North Wales County Pauper Lunatic Asylum at North Wales Hospital (Picture: Mark Davis/Guzelian)

A corridor bath at East Sussex County Pauper Lunatic Asylum at Hellingley Hospital (Picture: Mark Davis/Guzelian)

A wheelchair at North Wales County Pauper Lunatic Asylum at North Wales Hospital (Picture: Mark Davis/Guzelian)